The Drakensberg offers the most beautiful scenery imaginable, a challenge for adventure seekers, quiet for nature lovers, accommodation of a world-class standard, hikes for family and mountaineer and picture perfect views.
Information about the Maloti-Drakensberg
Spectacle Cave is in the Cobham area. This is a large cave with level areas for 6 people offers good protection from bad weather. Pholela and Gorge Cave are very close by. Read More...
Rhino Peak (Thaba Ngcobo) is located in the Garden Castle area. Read More...
Xeni (Kwaliqenu) Cave is in the Cathedral Peak area above the Xeni river. The cave is huge with a flat floor and can easily sleep 12 people. The large overhang provides excellent protection from bad weather. Read More...
A relatively easy day hike for the family (probably 8 and above). A steep hill on the way to the hut but almost all downhill after. The views from the hut looking back towards Highmoor and into the valley below are worthwhile. Meader Hut has been rebuilt. The second image in the gallery shows what the hut once ... Read More...
An extreme 6 to 7 hrs hike - 10km. A long arduous hike requiring a high level of fitness. Starts from Cathedral Peak Hotel, up the path to the Cathedral Ridge. Rock scrambling is often necessary due to rock slides on the gully below the peak. Read More...
Ribbon Falls Cave is in the Cathedral Peak area. The floor is level and offers good protection from storms. Read More...
Trojan Wall is in the Injisuthi area. Read More...
Featuring mountain views, 124 The Fairways is a chalet with a garden, a terrace and shared lounge. Complimentary private parking is provided. Composed of 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, this chalet comes with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. There is a seating area and a kitchen complete with an oven, a microwave a ... Read More...
Giants cave is on your left going up Giants Castle Pass. Higher up to your right is Giants Cave 2. Read More...
An easy 2 hour hike over 3.7 km with a total uphill of 377m. The cave is huge and offers excellent protection from bad weather. The last section on the way to the cave is up some wooden steps.There is enough flat sections in the cave to sleep 10 people comfortably. The video by Patrik Kjellgren @patttrici shows how bi ... Read More...
Three Pools Cave is in the Monks Cowl area. This is a large cave and provides good shelter from the elements. The views overlooking the Valley make the hike up to the cave worth while. Read More...
The Maliba Circular Route is a 13km hike (8miles), starting at Maliba Lodge at 2030m, following the Upper Route to Black Pool, then climbing steadily up to 2626m above sea level. Thereafter you come down the fairly steep valley to the ventilation shaft, and then circle back to the lodge through gate #8 and the river po ... Read More...
Painter's Cave is in the Bushman's Nek area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: In the contact period and especially after the arrival of the Europeans, Bushman groups changed from being hunter-gatherers to being raiders and traders for the sake of their survival. Bushman raiders kept the horses for themselves as hors ... Read More...
Sherman's Cave can sleep to and is only 3.6km from Cathedral Peak Hotel, the hike to the cave is all uphill with a total elevation gain of 429m. Read More...
Caracal Cave easily accommodates 8 people and is approximately 5.2km's from the Highmoor Reserve parking area. This is a relatively easy hike to the Cave and a bit of a climb back to the parking area. This is a comfortable cave, although quite dusty. Water supply is seasonal, although has been seen in winter months wh ... Read More...
Two routes are possible, one via Lammergeier Cave or via Thamathu Cave. The route via Thamathu cave is recommended as a path can be followed the whole way. The hike via Lammergeier cave has no path for about half the hike and unless you know the area well and have a good map this route should not be attempted. Read More...
Mount Amery is in the AmaZizi Traditional Authority Area which includes the the Busingatha, Okhombe and Obanjaneni wards. Read More...
A world heritage site on the border between South Africa and Lesotho 2874 metres above sea level. From Calgary to Cape Town guests recognise what makes one of the best kept secrets in Africa so unique. The Sani Mountain Lodge is a member of the Ends of the Earth international resort group. Its members i ... Read More...
Thaba Phutsoa is in Lesotho. Read More...
Champagne Castle is the second highest mountain in South Africa at 3377m and is located in the central drakensberg. This hike is perfect for fit hikers who are looking for a unique multi day hiking experience. Read More...
Langalibalele Cave is in Garden Castle near the base of Langaibalele Peak. No camping is permitted due to the cave having Bushman Paintings. The exact location has not been shown. Read More...
Sigubudu / Ungiyeza is in the Royal Natal area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: This painting includes several animals, such as eland, mountain rhebuck and even part of a cobra (beneath the running eland). Bushmen legends relate that snakes were linked with rain-making rituals. Soft or female rain was interpreted a ... Read More...
A great day hike that's easy and suitable for younger children. As you walk along the Bushman's Nek River and deeper into the valley you will get a great feeling of being outdoors. Some of the gallery pictures show the area when it had snowed. The snow was 3 foot deep near Halfway/Slab cave and no path could be found, ... Read More...
Situated within 25 km of Howick, 10 Woodridge Forest offers accommodation in Balgowan. This country house is conveniently set along one the Midlands Meander routes. Each of the 2 luxurious self-catering apartments features views of the rolling hills and a modern open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining area. These TV-free ... Read More...
Surrounded by mountains and nature, Bushmans Nek is located 37 km away from Underberg. The resort features a restaurant, spa and a rock swimming pool. A variety of outdoor activities are offered. The classically decorated rooms at the hotel are equipped with TV and tea-and-coffee making facilities and the spacious apar ... Read More...
Mnweni Inner Pinacle is in the Mnweni area.The inner pinnacle is on the right. Read More...
Castle Buttress is located within the Cathedral Peak area. Organ Pipes Pass is the closest pass. Read More...
Mike's Pass is a demanding gravel 4X4 pass high in the mountains near Bergville. Read More...
Offering magnificent views of the Drakensberg mountain range, Little Switzerland Resort is located a 30-minute drive from Bergville. The resort offers rooms and self-catering chalets. The accommodation will provide you with a seating area, heating, satellite TV and tea-and-coffee making facilities. The chalets also off ... Read More...
From the Mnweni Cultural Centre this is a long hike of 14.5km and elevation gain of 546m. The views from near the cave of Fangs and Mbundini pass are stunning. Read More...
Cockade Pass is one of the most direct routes to the escarpment in the Cathedral Peak area. It is split into two gullies, a main and a side gully. It is far less hiked than the other more well known passes but it has amazing scenery. Cockade Pass is ranked as moderate in terms of difficulty. Read More...
This is day 2 of the Giants Cup Trail hike. Its an easy hike of 8.6km to Mzimkulwana Hut. On the way you pass Bath Plug Cave which is a good spot for lunch. The Hut can be quite cold as in a valley near a river so do take some warm clothes along also. Read More...
More of a mountain scramble than a hike. Named after GT Amphlett who was the president of the local mountain club, in 1908. Read More...
Aleit's Shelter is located in the Cathedral Peak area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: The “trance-buck” or flying antelope with trailing wings is a dream image created by a Bushman shaman (medicine man or ritual specialist) to illustrate his experiences during trance. Contact: Mrs. Lihle Madondo, Hospitality Mana ... Read More...
A 12.5km hike from the Mnweni Cultural Centre with an elevation gain of 347m. Read More...
Found just before Mbundini Cave (50m lower down) heading towards Fangs and Mbundini pass in Mnweni. Read More...
Situated within 11 km from Mooi River, surrounded by meadows, Midlands Saddle and Trout offers an array of activities from fishing, mini golf and horse riding. The resort features a restaurant, spa and children’s playground. At Midlands Saddle and Trout, the spacious apartments offer views of the mountain and come comp ... Read More...
Nkosazana Cave / Inkosazana is in the Monks Cowl area at the top of the escarpment, about 500m further along from reaching the top of Greys Pass. The cave can sleep 10 in winter months when dry, however in winter the cave is very damp inside. Read More...
Pornographic Shelter (Bushmans River Rock #1) is in the Garden Castle area. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: One of the panels at Pornographic Shelter displays a group of running men that seems to be hunting. The parent rock shows signs of flaking, natural weathering and water-wash areas consisting of silica, salt a ... Read More...
Pholela Cave is in the Cobham region near the Pholele river. It's a large cave with a relatively level floor and good shelter in bad weather. Spectacle and Gorge cave are nearby and worth visiting. Read More...
Boundary Rock is just over 4km from the Cobham Reserve and a stunning pool for swimming is near by. Interpretation by Celeste Rossouw: A large indeterminate human is depicted bending over a group of sitting people. This image links to the trance dance, since the bending forward posture is part of this dance. After exc ... Read More...
Yellowwood Cave is in the Lotheni area. The cave is easily reached from Lotheni Camp (about 6km). Read More...
A hollowed out rock cave in Lesotho roughly 1.8km from Tarn cave with a hole in the middle but still offers enough space for 6 people. GPS Coordinates kindly updated by Derek Ridge. Read More...
Champagne Castle Buttress is located within the Monks Cowl. Greys Pass, Cathkin Mountain Pass and Ship's Prow Pass are the closest passes. Read More...
A great scenic outlook of rock formations and grassy plains with almost unlimited views of the escarpment from north to south on a clear day. Read More...
The climb to the Crack and The Mudslide Pass is steep but a chain ladder will help you over the more difficult sections. The descent is steep, loose and slippery after rainfall. Read More...
Beacon Buttress in the middle and Sentinal on the right. Read More...
Found near the top of fangs pass and to the left of Fangs Buttress looking North. Read More...